Chicago shooting: Loyola University student Sheridan Gorman, 18, killed in Rogers Park shooting near beach; vigil held on campus
CHICAGO (WLS) — An 18-year-old woman was shot and killed while walking with friends near a beach near Loyola University in Rogers Park Thursday morning, Chicago police said.
A vigil was held on campus Thursday night as students mourn the loss.
Sheridan Gorman was just months away from finishing her first year in college. The New York native’s university experience cut short while she was hanging out with friends at a popular nearby pier.
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The shooting took place at about 1:30 a.m. at a pier at Tobey Prinz Beach in the 1000-block of West Pratt Boulevard.
Police said the victim was with a group of friends when a male suspect approached on foot, took out a gun and opened fire in the group’s direction.
The woman was shot in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, police said. No other injuries were reported.
Loyola University confirmed the woman is a student at the university and identified her as Sheridan Gorman.
Police said the young woman was not the intended target. Loyola said the suspect was wearing a face covering.
A neighbor who did not want to be identified said she heard what sounded like a gunshot.
“So I was just starting to go to sleep and then we heard one pop, both my partner and I,” the neighbor said. “I though it was a firework, but then 20 minutes later there was a lot of like blood curdling screams that were happening.”
Loyola released a statement in part saying, “This is a tragic loss, and our hearts go out to Sheridan’s family, loved ones, and all who knew her. We are in close contact with law enforcement as they investigate and work to understand the full circumstances of this tragedy. Based on the information available to us now, there is no ongoing threat to our campus community. We will continue to provide updates as confirmed information becomes available.”
Those who live in the area, said this is a popular spot for Loyola students and a place where neighbors walk their dogs.
“It’s just sad, it’s a very quiet neighborhood not much happens here at the beach,” Sandra Hauptmann said. “I’m wondering what was the cause getting shot here at 1 a.m. in the morning. What are they doing? It’s dark, nobody is around here and there are no cameras. It’s kind of dangerous. It’s still the city at the end of day.”
“I can’t imagine the pain that is rippling through so many different communities, obviously, her family, the Loyola community, the Rogers Park community, the Chicago community,” David Fisk said.
Loyola said counseling services are available for students. A vigil for the victim will take place on campus at Madonna della Strada Chapel at 7 p.m. as her peers grapple with her sudden loss.
“I really hope we honor Sheridan. I’m buying flowers and leaving them at the pier later today,” a student said. “I just find it to be terribly tragic to send your daughter to school and find them to be dead. I think it’s terrible.”
Yorktown, New York is where Gorman graduated high school last year, and where her mother is an active member of a youth sports booster organization. Gorman’s hometown is now grappling with grief several states away.
“It’s just so tragic to see a life, especially such a bright light of a life, cut short and so meaninglessly,” Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman said.
Back in Chicago, the university says it is cooperating with police in their search for the shooter.
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